3 Ways to Save Money on Spiriva (Tiotropium)

Managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be tricky. Many of the medications used to treat COPD, like Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium), are brand-name inhalers without generic alternatives available. While these are effective medications that help improve breathing, lung function, and quality of life, cost can sometimes be a barrier.

Thankfully, there’s good news. If you or a loved one are looking to fill a prescription for Spiriva, there are steps you can take to make your trip to the pharmacy more affordable.

What is Spiriva?

Spiriva is a long-acting, prescription-only inhaler. It makes it easier to breathe by relaxing the airways in your lungs. Taken as two puffs once a day, Spiriva aims to manage and control your breathing symptoms over time.

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There are two kinds of Spiriva inhalers available for use:

• Spiriva HandiHaler: This is a capsule-based inhaler that’s FDA approved to treat COPD. To use it, you breathe in a dry powder that comes from a capsule. The HandiHaler device pierces the capsule, and then you inhale the dry powder through the mouthpiece. Do not swallow the capsule whole.

• Spiriva Respimat: This is an inhalation spray that’s approved to treat COPD and asthma. The Respimat device delivers medication as a fine mist from a prefilled cartridge. To use the medication, you load the medication cartridge into the device and press a button to release the mist through the mouthpiece.

The active ingredient in Spiriva, tiotropium, is also found in combination inhalers. For instance, Stiolto Respimat (tiotropium/olodaterol) is a different COPD inhaler that combines two medications into one device.

How does Spiriva work?

Spiriva works by binding to receptors (chemical binding sites) in the lungs called muscarinic receptors. This relaxes smooth muscles in the airways of your lungs, making it easier to breathe.

These effects tend to last over time. Spiriva is dosed once daily because it’s a long-acting inhaler. It can relax the airways in your lungs for up to 24 hours at a time. When used consistently, this helps control COPD symptoms and decreases the likelihood of COPD exacerbations (flare-ups).

How effective is Spiriva for COPD?

Spiriva is an effective option for treating COPD. Clinical guidelines suggest that long-acting inhalers like Spiriva are key to preventing and managing COPD symptoms over time. Other possible benefits include:

• Fewer COPD exacerbations

• Decreased shortness of breath

• Improved lung function and overall health

• More effective pulmonary rehabilitation treatments

What’s more, Spiriva HandiHaler and Spiriva Respimat both appear to be well-tolerated. One isn’t considered more effective than the other, either.

How much does Spiriva cost?

When you go to the pharmacy to fill your prescription, it’s common to receive either a 30-day or 90-day supply of medication. For a 30-day supply of brand-name Spiriva HandiHaler, the retail price can range from about $550 to $700. The generic HandiHaler tends to cost $500 to $550. The average retail price for a 30-day supply of Spiriva Respimat is about $651.48.

Is there a generic version of Spiriva available?

Yes — for one version of Spiriva. A generic version of Spiriva HandiHaler launched in the U.S. in August 2023. It’s now available for use.

Spiriva Respimat does not have a generic version available yet. A generic may not be available for another few years.

How to save on Spiriva

There are ways to save on Spiriva, which is available as a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx coupons, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.

• Save with GoodRx: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a 30-day supply of generic tiotropium at an exclusive cash price, which ranges from $75 to $365 — prices vary by pharmacy.

• Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $35 for Spiriva HandiHaler or Sprivia Respimat using a savings card from the manufacturer. A $25 savings card is available for the generic version of Spiriva HandiHaler, too.

• Save with patient assistance programs: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Spiriva’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.

Another option is talking to your healthcare provider to see if there are any other COPD medications that might work for you. It’s important to have an open, honest conversation with your healthcare provider about prescription costs.

If your prescription insurance denies coverage for Spiriva, your healthcare provider may also be able to submit an appeal or prior authorization. Each insurance plan’s appeal process can be different. But if Spiriva is the best choice for your situation, talk to your healthcare provider to see if this approach might be an option for you.

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Written by:

Ruth Guajardo, PharmD

Ruth Guajardo, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist who received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2012. Her areas of expertise include community pharmacy, hospital practice, and pharmacy benefits management.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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